Allen & Heath SQ-7 48 Channel Digital Mixer Review

The Allen & Heath SQ-7 is a well-regarded 48-channel digital mixer that offers a good balance of features, sound quality, and affordability. Here’s a breakdown of its pros and cons based on user reviews:

Pros

• Excellent sound quality: The SQ-7 is praised for its clear, high-fidelity audio, thanks to its 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine and DEEP processing architecture. Users report that it sounds as good, or even better, than some higher-priced mixers.
• Flexible routing and I/O: The SQ-7 has a good amount of built-in I/O, with 32 mic preamps and expandable options via SLink for up to 48 total mic inputs. It also integrates well with Allen & Heath’s ME Personal Mixing System for in-ear monitors.
• Easy to use: The SQ-7 is known for its intuitive layout and user-friendly interface. Reviewers appreciate features like the 32 assignable faders, custom fader layers, and straightforward patching.
• Powerful processing: The SQ-7 boasts features like dual compressors with parallel processing, a built-in signal generator, and 12 stereo mixes with separate EQ. It also has the option to add Waves Soundgrid processing for even more possibilities.

Cons

• Scribble strips: Some users find the scribble strips, which provide channel labeling, to be a bit small and difficult to read.
• Limited expandability: While the SQ-7 is expandable, it doesn’t offer the same level of redundancy as some higher-end mixers.

Overall, the Allen & Heath SQ-7 is a versatile and powerful digital mixer that’s well-suited for a variety of live sound applications. It offers excellent sound quality, a user-friendly interface, and a good amount of processing power for the price. If you’re looking for a compact, easy-to-use mixer with professional-grade audio, the SQ-7 is a strong contender.